Mount Hood

Western’s dance team hosts Winter Club Showcase

The dance team performs sets from fall 2021 and winter 2022

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Western’s dance team has entertained audiences at football and basketball games all year, and now they are opening their doors at Maple Hall to perform for the public in a unique showcase all their own. 

Senior art and design major Jenaya Stevenson serves as president and coach of the dance team. Her efforts helped produce the Winter Club Showcase, which she hopes is the first of a new tradition. 

“I thought it would be a great idea, not only just for friends and family, but for the whole student body to see and to get people who may not be dance majors or minors interested in the activity,” Stevenson said of the planned performances. 

The majority of the routines selected for the showcase will be from the dance team’s fall and winter term performances, including “Fast Motion” and “Staying Alive,” both of which were performed during football halftime shows. However, there will also be solos and duets that were choreographed by the dancers and old coaches specifically for this event. 

Stevenson expressed pride in the dances, the dance team and their efforts to put on the showcase. 

“It was so great to see everyone push themselves and learn things when they didn’t have the luxury of time,” Stevenson said. “I think that they deserve their own time to shine.”

The dance team will be performing their routines on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. inside Maple Hall. Tickets for the showcase will be available in the Werner University Center on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. If purchased at the dance team’s tabling, tickets will be $5 for students and $8 for non students. Those who want to buy tickets at the door on performance nights will be charged $10. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@mail.wou.edu

 

 

Review: “Murderville”

Will Arnett keeps viewers guessing and laughing through “Murderville”

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Netflix’s “Murderville” is a new comedy series that shows what would happen if we were put in our favorite murder mystery show and how ridiculous we would look trying to solve them.

Will Arnett is hilarious as Detective Terry Seattle, who is joined every episode by a new celebrity guest. The catch is the guest is not given a script and must investigate without any prior knowledge. Arnett is joined by guest stars such as Ken Jeong, Marshawn Lynch and Annie Murphy.

Arnett’s character Terry Seattle is an unhinged detective who urges his guest stars to make unarguably terrible decisions which only encourages them to break. The best moments are when the guest star also plays into the absurdity of the show and Arnett breaks character himself. That leaves the audience watching two comedians play with the nipples of a corpse or arguing over whether or not pancakes need to be boiled.

In almost every episode there is a scene that truly tests the guest star’s acting skills. They are given an ear piece and sent into a ridiculous situation with Detective Seattle whispering absolute nonsense into their ear. This often leads to more breaks in character that will leave viewers clutching their stomach.

The setup for each murder mystery is very obvious and makes it clear what the guest should be looking for. This allows the audience to figure it out alongside them. Personally, I only guessed three of them right because I spent much more time laughing than trying to figure out who the killer was ⏤ that is probably exactly happens with most of the guest stars.

If viewers aren’t interested in comedy detective shows but still want to check it out, I highly suggest watching episode three with guest Kumail Nanjiani. The pair goes to Detective Seattle’s high school reunion where we get to see a bit of his backstory and why he acts like the absolute fool that he is. I made the bad decision of watching this whole series in public and had to hold back many laughs and tears while watching Nanjiani attempt to keep it together on set. 9/10.

Contact the author at newseditor@wou.edu

Films for Valentine’s Day

Avoid the Valentine’s cliches with these underrated movies

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Valentine’s Day activities can sometimes be overly cliche, and no tradition encapsulates this more than the annual viewing of “The Notebook.” If this inevitability doesn’t sound appealing, here is a list of less cliche movies to enjoy on the day of love. 

  • “The Princess Bride” (1987) — After being separated for many years, a man must battle assassins, mythical villains and death itself to save his one true love from a king who intends to marry her. 
  • “Pride and Prejudice” (2005) — Stubborn Elizabeth Bennet and arrogant Mr. Darcy must overcome their personal biases in order to fall in love and marry in 19th century England. 
  • “Love, Simon” (2018) — This romantic comedy follows 17-year-old Simon, who has yet to come out as gay to his friends and family. When he falls for an anonymous gay classmate online, his situation only becomes more complicated. 
  • “Deadpool” (2016) — After undergoing torturous experiments that left him with healing powers but a disfigured apperance, mercenary Wade Wilson goes on a rampage to kill the man who destoyed his life, and maybe win back his girlfriend in the process. 
  • “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society” (2018) — After World War II, a London-based writer begins correspondence with residents from the island of Guernsey, which was German-occupied during the war. Through the letters, she begins to understand what living under tyranny was like. 
  • “Casablanca” (1942) — An American business owner in Casablanca, Morocco must choose whether or not to aid his former flame and her husband in fleeing Nazi persecution. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@mail.wou.edu

 

 

DIY gifts for Valentine’s Day

Three Valentine’s Day gifts for that special someone

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to cost a lot of money, and for many people a homemade gift can be more meaningful. Here are a few ideas of gifts to make for a significant other, crush, friend or even roommate. 

Date night jar.
This gift is great for a Valentine who has a hard time thinking of date ideas, or activities they love so both parties feel appreciated. 

Supplies needed: paper, a permanent marker, scissors and a jar or box.

Instructions: On a sheet of paper, write in one color activities both people can do at home; examples include game night, movie night, cookoff, paint night, cook for one another or no electronics night. Cut to size and fold in half, then place in the jar. On the next sheet in a different color write activities to do together that do not cost money but require going somewhere; examples include hiking or having a picnic at the park. Lastly, repeat in another color activities that can be done together that would cost money; examples include “dessert on me”, dinner at a desired restaurant or “a golf match on me.” Write the key and attach to one side of the box or jar so everyone knows.

Memory album.
This is a beautiful gift to give someone important.

Supplies needed: printed photos, a scrapbook or photo album and a pen.

Instructions: Choose photos of the gift receiver or memories shared with them, then print. After printing, arrange photos and put them in the scrapbook or photo album. If desired, add labels or captions. When done, write a card or just give to the person and watch them relive and re-love the memories before them.

“Crazy about you” notes.
A heartfelt gift to be cherished forever.

Supplies needed: Strips of paper or small sticky notes, a mason jar and a marker.

Instructions: Using the paper strips or sticky notes, write on each one something that is appreciated about the person it is being given to. Fold or roll up, then place in the jar. They can read them whenever they want as a pick-me-up or right then to feel the love.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

To die for dinners

Three Valentine’s dinner recipes for both couples and singles

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Valentine’s Day dinner is a date night staple. Cooking for that special someone can be the perfect way to their heart — through the stomach. Here are three recipes to spice up the night.

CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Start to finish: 45 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

3 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved

3 cups baby spinach

½ cup heavy cream

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan

Lemon wedges, for serving

In a skillet, heat oil on medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper and oregano. Cook until golden, 8 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet then set aside. Melt butter in a skillet then stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook until tomatoes are about to burst, then add spinach. Cook until wilted. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Reduce heat to low, about 3 minutes. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 – 7 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Recipe from Delish

 

SEARED SCALLOPS
Start to finish: 9 minutes
Yields: 12 – 13 scallops

1 pound fresh large scallops (12 – 13 pieces)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

¼ cup butter

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped

2 lemon wedges

Pat scallops dry with a paper towel then season with salt and pepper. Add oil in skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes until oil sizzles. Once the pan is hot, place scallops in. Cook for 2 minutes. Turn scallops over then add butter and garlic to the pan. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top then cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer onto a plate and sprinkle parsley on top. Serve with lemon wedges.

Recipe from Ahead Of Thyme

VEGAN LINGUINE
Start to finish: 30 minutes
Yields: 2 servings

One 15-gram wholemeal linguine

1 lime, zested and juiced

1 avocado, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

½ pack fresh chopped coriander

1 red onion, finely chopped

1 red chili, finely chopped

Cook pasta according to the package, about 10 minutes. Put lime juice and zesting in a medium bowl. Combine with avocado, tomatoes, coriander, onion and chili. Mix well. Drain pasta and add to bowl, then mix. Serve while hot, or refrigerate and serve cold.

Recipe from BBC Good Food

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Besties for the restie

Tips to making long lasting relationships

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Finding and making friends as an adult can be difficult. The first thing to recognize is that it all starts with making an effort ⏤ whether it be putting oneself out there, or finding someone with similar interests ⏤ and it can be tiring. Making that move can be the difference between finding a friend for life, and spending time alone — which is okay too, if preferred. All relationships take effort from both sides, so doing one’s part is important and if unable to, asking for help or communicating can mean the world. The following four pillars of friendship, when followed, can help ensure this.

  1. Making friendship a core value: by implementing relationships with friends as a core value, one is able to make a deep connection and build a support system for all parties to appreciate. 
  2. Team building activities: when others feel comfortable being themselves they are more inclined to make a life long friendship. Ideas for this include group yoga, working out together, creating videos for social media, game nights, paint nights and even a white elephant gift party, depending on the time of year.
  3. Sharing priorities: by communicating and sharing life priorities with each other, a deeper friendship can be established and bonded upon. This can include things from career and family goals to traveling and fitness.
  4. Establishing rituals: having set days or things that can be done for one another or together is a perfect way to strengthen both the friendship and one’s own mental wellbeing.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Ideas for hosting PALentines

Four ideas for a friendship party

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Many people have heard of “Galentine’s” ⏤ a girl’s night before Valentine’s Day for singles to avoid loneliness. PALentine’s is even better, swapping significant others for friends of any gender or relationship status for the sole intention of enjoying the other’s company and having fun. Here are four party ideas to make any PALentine’s event enjoyable.

Host a themed meal. Choose the meal of preference ⏤ brunch for example ⏤ and pick a theme to follow. Have everyone show up dressed for said theme. Whether it be a “white lies” or “country western” party, everyone will feel included.

Drink competition. Let attendees know they will need to have a recipe for their drink of choice, and have all the necessary ingredients to make drinks with. While everyone is hanging out and chatting, one person will make their drink and bring out a cup for each person to try. After tasting, each person should score the drink on a piece of paper, then the next will begin to create their drink. Repeat the process until everyone has gone. The host should count all votes and name the best drink at the end. All participants should drink responsibly.

Game night. Have each person bring a game to the party and play each one by one. Let the winner of the last game pick the next game. This can go on for hours if time permits.

Hike and a picnic. As Pacific Northwest dwellers, a great amount of people love the outdoors. What better way to celebrate friendship with them than to go on a pretty hike and fill up on yummy food? This can be done as a destination surprise or be planned.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu